Trieu: Michigan set to host 'unicorn' in Idaho wide receiver Gatlin Bair

Michigan is set to host Gatlin Bair, one of the most unique recruits in the 2024 class, for an official visit this weekend. Burley, Idaho, is not known for churning out high Power Five recruits or elite track runners, but Bair is both, He has run as fast as 10.53 seconds in the 100-meter dash and competed in the Junior Olympic Championships. At 6-foot-2, 180 pounds with that speed, Bair is a prototype wide receiver prospect who had 1,073 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in the fall. He also averaged 35.6 yards per kick return. Michigan is set to host Gatlin Bair, one of the most unique recruits in the 2024 class, for an official visit this weekend. Michigan is set to host Gatlin Bair, one of the most unique recruits in the 2024 class, for an official visit this weekend. BRANDON HUFFMAN, 247SPORTS “He’s a unicorn,” 247Sports analyst Brandon Huffman said. “In 21 recruiting classes, he’s the highest-rated player from the state and the most heavily recruited player from Idaho I can remember. The track stuff is elite in warm-weather states with a track history, but coming from Idaho, it’s even more unique.” Bair did catch 28 passes as a varsity freshman, but it still took time for him to get on the national radar. “It took people a while to figure that he was more than a track guy,” Huffman said. “His first offers didn’t come until April of 2022 as the eval period got going, as he wrapped up his sophomore year. And it was mostly local offers first — Utah State and Utah, plus Boise State were among his first offers, then things really blew up after his junior season and film went public. He was at Kimberly (Idaho) his first two years, but once he moved to Burley, where (Michigan tight end) Colston Loveland’s former coach, Cameron Andersen, took over, given Loveland’s recruitment and Andersen’s presence, things took off.” Michigan is in Bair’s top five. He also took officials with Oregon and TCU. The Wolverines are one of the farther schools from home that he is considering, but are a real contender, according to those in the know. “Michigan has been on the extremely short list for a long time; they’ve been the one constant since they offered, especially given the Loveland/Andersen connection,” Huffman said. “And them getting the last visit is obviously a good thing. I’ve felt Michigan and Boise State were the two that would last until the end of his recruitment.” Bair does not currently have a decision date planned. He is considered a top-10 wide receiver in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite. DIG DEEPER More Michigan coverage Get instant updates via our app Harbaugh sees Michigan football building 'cultural momentum' Three-star edge rusher Devon Baxter announces commitment to Michigan UM special teams have big shoes to fill; here is who could step up Additional officials In addition to Bair, Michigan will have four-star Longview (Texas) running back Taylor Tatum on campus. Tatum, the No. 1 running back per the 247Sports Composite, has his Crystal Ball predictions split between Oklahoma and USC. Michigan has two running backs in their class in Jordan Marshall and Micah Kaapana, but Tatum has been steadfast in his interest in Michigan. Tampa (Florida) Catholic cornerback Jameer Grimsley, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound four-star will also be on campus. He has taken officials to North Carolina, Penn State, Florida State and Alabama already. Cincinnati Withrow’s speedy cornerback Terhyon Nichols also will be on campus for an official. He has been to Kentucky, Pittsburgh and Penn State so far but previously came to Michigan for an unofficial as well. Nichols is a track star at 6-foot-0, 180 pounds.